For nearly half a century, Bradford Health Services has been at the forefront of addiction treatment, guided by a dedication to comprehensive, patient-centered care.
Established in 1977 in Birmingham, Alabama, by a family who saw firsthand the impact of substance abuse in their community, Bradford Health Services was born out of compassion and a commitment to help those struggling with addiction find a path toward recovery. Originally starting with just one treatment center in Warrior, Alabama, and later expanding to Madison, Bradford has since grown its reach and impact substantially, offering a wide range of services across the southeastern United States.
Bradford Health Services’ growth over the years has been intentional and driven by its mission to provide accessible, high-quality care to individuals wherever they are in their journey of recovery. In 2017, Centre Partners acquired Bradford, initiating a period of expansion that extended its footprint to states like North Carolina, Mississippi, and Tennessee. This commitment to growth was reaffirmed in 2022 when Lee Equity Partners acquired Bradford and continued its expansion into Florida and Texas. Today, Bradford serves around 2,000 patients daily, with a dedicated staff of 1,500 professionals.
Bradford Health Services offers a unique model for substance use disorder treatment, grounded in its “hub and spoke” system. Each main campus functions as a comprehensive treatment hub, providing acute medical detox and residential services. Supporting this hub are various outpatient services, sober living options, and other resources that contribute to a continuum of care for individuals at different stages of their recovery. According to CEO Rob Marsh, this model allows Bradford to provide flexible care to meet the diverse needs of its patients, from high-acuity detox to outpatient counselling.
“A central benefit of our approach is the ability to meet patients wherever they are in their recovery journey,” Marsh explains. By offering a full continuum of services, Bradford ensures that patients can access the necessary support without needing to transition between different providers. This comprehensive care model allows Bradford to deliver a seamless experience that promotes stability and fosters lasting recovery.
The organization’s Chief Marketing Officer, Chandler Keel, adds, “Our commitment to providing a full continuum of care means that each patient, from detoxification to outpatient services, receives consistent, structured support throughout their recovery journey.” This strategy allows Bradford’s residential facilities to act as centralized hubs, connecting patients to an intensive outpatient program that supports their transition back to daily living.
One of Bradford’s unique strengths is its team, many of whom have personal experience with recovery and addiction. As Marsh emphasizes, “The dedication and insight our team members bring to their work are invaluable. Many of them have been through recovery themselves, offering patients both professional guidance and personal understanding.”
This shared experience creates a profound connection between staff and patients, making the journey of recovery feel less isolating. Bradford’s team members often understand firsthand the challenges, emotions, and triumphs of recovery, and they bring this understanding to their roles every day. The organization also employs individuals across the U.S., enabling it to serve a diverse population with a wide range of needs.
Beyond their direct work with patients, Bradford’s staff fosters a supportive environment through an alumni network. Bradford’s alumni program provides ongoing support for individuals post-treatment, addressing one of the most challenging aspects of recovery: returning to everyday life. Through the alumni network, former patients can connect with others who have undergone similar experiences, forming a strong, supportive community alongside the guidance of staff to support them through the complexities of life after treatment.
Bradford Health Services places a high priority on measurable outcomes, striving for excellence in relapse prevention, treatment adherence, and post-discharge medication support. Bradford’s outcomes, as Marsh highlights, consistently outpace those of its peers. “We excel in areas like relapse prevention and post-discharge support,” he says. “It’s exciting to see that the care we provide genuinely helps patients stay on the path of recovery.”
The company’s commitment to quality is further emphasized through its focus on value-based contracting. By partnering with commercial insurance providers, Bradford aligns its reimbursement with patient outcomes, reinforcing its dedication to providing high-quality, effective care. This approach, while financially prudent, also reflects the organization’s core mission: prioritizing the well-being of its patients.
Bradford’s excellence is recognized through its accreditation by the Joint Commission and the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, the industry’s gold standards. These certifications underscore Bradford’s commitment to delivering safe, effective, and compassionate care, as do its high patient satisfaction scores. Bradford’s Net Promoter Score, an indicator of patient satisfaction and willingness to recommend services, stands at 4.7, well above the industry average of 4.2. This figure reflects the trust and satisfaction patients feel toward Bradford, as well as the dedication of its staff to fostering a supportive, respectful environment.
As the landscape of substance use disorder treatment continues to evolve, Bradford Health Services is at the forefront, embracing person-centered, holistic approaches. “Today, the industry is much more concerned about the entire person,” Marsh observes. This shift is evident in Bradford’s approach to treatment, which considers not only the substance use disorder itself but also the socioeconomic, psychological, and medical factors that contribute to addiction. Bradford has been a pioneer in this area for many years, making it well positioned as more providers adopt similar comprehensive care practices.
For Keel, the industry must rise to meet the demands of patients, and he believes Bradford is poised to be part of that solution. He cites significant research showing that longer stays in clinical environments improve sobriety rates, and Bradford is committed to staying engaged with patient’s post-discharge, a move that Keel believes will lead to improved outcomes.
“We’re finding opportunities to maintain patient connectivity within clinical environments in ways that will allow us to exceed historical outcomes,” he says. This focus on post-discharge engagement aims to prevent relapses and support sustainable recovery.
Technology also plays an increasing role in Bradford’s approach to treatment, with tools like artificial intelligence and wearable devices on the horizon. These innovations hold promise for tracking behavioral changes, preventing relapse, and engaging patients even after they leave the treatment facility. Bradford’s forward-thinking approach ensures that it can meet patients’ needs in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape, leveraging technology to provide better care and improved outcomes.
With its recent acquisitions and new facilities, Bradford Health Services is poised for continued growth. Its recent acquisition of Lakeview Health Services in Jacksonville, Florida expands its reach, as does the establishment of the Trinity River Recovery Center in Dallas, Texas. Bradford’s expansion strategy is community-focused, seeking out areas with the highest need for services. Many of Bradford’s centers are located in rural communities, where residents may have limited access to treatment options. By extending its reach into underserved areas, Bradford ensures that individuals in these communities have access to quality care regardless of their financial circumstances.
Bradford’s commitment to inclusivity is evident in its service offerings. It accepts patients across a wide range of financial backgrounds, from those on Medicaid to privately funded patients. This approach reflects the team’s dedication to providing accessible care for all, meeting patients where they are financially as well as emotionally.
Underpinning Bradford’s success is its culture of servant leadership. From the CEO to the frontline staff, everyone at Bradford is committed to serving the best interests of the patients. This commitment fosters a culture of accountability and compassion, ensuring that patients’ needs are always the top priority. By maintaining this patient-centered culture, Bradford continues to set itself apart as a trusted, compassionate provider in the field of addiction treatment.
As Bradford Health Services looks to the future, its growth is guided by the same principles that have defined its past: compassion, quality, and accessibility. With its emphasis on holistic, patient-centered care, Bradford is prepared to adapt to the evolving landscape of addiction treatment. Its commitment to quality outcomes, value-based care, and technological innovation positions it as a leader in the field, setting the standard for effective, compassionate treatment.
As the organization expands its reach and services, Bradford remains a beacon of hope for those seeking recovery, offering a path forward with compassion, integrity, and unwavering support.
